"Ancient people talked about returning home in glory. This must be what they meant," Shinozaki Ikumi counted the days—only three left. The smile in her eyes was impossible to hide.
"Keep it within limits. That's still our former employer. And Auntie Ogata Aya is a senior executive at Sakura TV. I still have some friends there, too… give them some face. Don't go overboard," Su Yan reminded her.
He didn't need to ask. He already knew what Shinozaki Ikumi was planning.
At an awards ceremony, once you win, you always get a few minutes for a speech.
With her personality, after bottling things up for two years, she would definitely vent.
"I'll be careful. I won't go around firing indiscriminately. I'm only targeting Akasaka Yoshitoki! But you—have you prepared your acceptance speech?" Shinozaki Ikumi asked.
"I'm only nominated. I haven't won yet," Su Yan smiled.
"Oh, please. When you shouldn't be confident, you're weirdly confident. When you should be confident, you turn modest. This year's Best Screenwriter and Best Drama—who else could win? There are five nominees for each award, and you occupy two spots in both categories. If the committee loses its mind and gives them to someone else, the awards will lose all credibility!"
"Even if the three major stations are unwilling and try to pressure the committee, they absolutely won't dare pull any tricks this year."
"Hopefully." Su Yan thought for a moment. "But if you insist on asking what my speech will be…"
"I really haven't thought about it."
"You're not going to mock Akasaka Yoshitoki on stage? Get a little revenge?" she pressed.
"Mock him? What's there to mock? A victor has nothing to say to a defeated man."
"The moment 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners' topped the spring season ratings, he became insignificant in my eyes. When 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' airs next quarter and he has to pack up and leave, I won't even be interested in paying attention to him."
Shinozaki Ikumi blinked. Something about that logic felt off—but somehow, it sounded cool.
Still, she disagreed.
"My spiritual realm isn't that lofty. I'm definitely venting properly."
"Three more days… I can't wait."
January 31st was the fixed annual date for the Xia Flame Awards.
Although Su Yan's company chartered a private flight from Tokyo to Hudu with two to three dozen staff members in low-profile fashion, his movements in the Xia Nation were impossible to conceal.
Reporters from the Sakura Island had long leaked, through stalking and secret photography, which flight he boarded and when he would land.
The moment they stepped off the plane—
Su Yan, Shinozaki Ikumi, Gu Qingyuan, Shen Liqian, Shi Peihua, and other core company members were stunned by the overwhelming crowd of fans waiting at the airport.
A sea of people clogged the exit passage. Many held drawing boards and props, dressed in cosplay of popular characters from Su Yan's dramas. Despite the heavy security presence, they still tried desperately to squeeze forward.
"Teacher Su Yan! Over here! Please sign for me!"
"Teacher Su Yan, can we take a photo together? Please!"
"Gu Qingyuan, you have to win Best Actress! Don't lose to Shen Liqian! I may hate Satomi, but my love for you won't change!"
"Rika! Shen Liqian! Please, give me an autograph!"
"Ahhh! It's the real one! The real Teacher Su Yan is so handsome!"
"Teacher Su Yan, what's your prediction for this year's Xia Flame Awards? Who do you think is your biggest competitor?"
"Sorry, no comment," Su Yan silently repeated as he led the group forward under security escort, leaving the airport as quickly as possible and heading straight to the styling venue arranged by the Hudu office.
The ceremony would begin at 8 p.m.
It was still morning, but preparation never hurt.
Inside the car, the group exchanged looks.
Even Shen Liqian, who had seen big scenes before, felt her heart race. The fans were simply too fanatical.
'Tokyo Love Story' had pushed her popularity to an entirely new height.
Throughout the day, news of Su Yan's return to Hudu dominated entertainment headlines. Photos and reports flooded the internet.
By evening—
Countless reporters and camera crews gathered at the awards venue in downtown Hudu, waiting for the night's main attraction.
The entire event was broadcast live.
[Has the sadist Su Yan not entered yet?]
[It's already 7:20 p.m.—still on the way?]
[The true protagonist always makes a grand entrance!]
[He's here—my TV signal's faster. Sadist Su Yan just walked in.]
[Seriously?]
[Of course not. I'm at the venue. His car isn't even here yet.]
Under the intense attention of Su Yan's fans, the ceremony's live ratings far exceeded previous years.
Bored fans watched the broadcast while complaining online.
Finally, at a certain moment, the camera showed what everyone had been waiting for.
Dressed in a black formal suit, tall and handsome, Su Yan led the way.
To his left was Gu Qingyuan in a pale green evening gown, her skin as fair as snow.
To his right was Shen Liqian in a red dress, flashing her signature adorable smile and tiger teeth as she waved to reporters and media.
Behind them followed Shi Peihua and other nominated members of Dimensional Pictures.
Other productions had one or two representatives.
Dimensional Pictures? They had enough nominees to fill five or six mahjong tables.
People wanted to complain—but didn't even know where to begin.
As they entered, cameras flashed wildly.
Though dazzled by the lights, Su Yan maintained a calm smile.
Once inside, nearly everyone in attendance turned to look at him.
Representatives from the three major stations. From Aozora TV and other large stations that had worked with him. Executives from major production companies. Veteran actors, retired or semi-retired.
And of course—
The greatest enemy Su Yan and Shinozaki Ikumi had in the Xia Nation entertainment circle was.
Akasaka Yoshitoki.
Su Yan, Shinozaki Ikumi, and Shen Liqian glanced in his direction.
Su Yan's expression didn't change as he calmly searched for his seat.
Shinozaki Ikumi and Shen Liqian, however, openly shot him provocative looks.
When Su Yan spotted Ogata Aya sitting not far from Akasaka Yoshitoki, he walked over to greet her warmly.
After all, his earliest productions had relied on funding she had helped secure.
It might not have been a life-changing favor—but it had been significant support.
The entire exchange lasted less than three minutes and was fully broadcast live.
Ogata Aya's pleased smile stood in stark contrast to the dark, stiff expression of Akasaka Yoshitoki, the highest-ranking Sakura TV representative present.
[Hahaha! Sadist Su Yan did that on purpose! Ignoring Minister Akasaka and chatting so warmly with Vice Minister Ogata Aya—that's basically eye-drops in his eyes!]
[If I were on Sakura TV's board, I'd already be angry at Akasaka Yoshitoki. Su Yan's behavior clearly says: I have no grudge against Sakura TV—only against Akasaka Yoshitoki!]
[Just thinking about how Shen Liqian was suppressed by this old man a few years ago and almost faded from the industry makes me furious.]
[The strongest screenwriter, most popular male actor, and most popular actress in the Xia Nation all have beef with him. Sakura TV's minister really is useless—wasting good talent and playing a great hand terribly.]
Akasaka Yoshitoki scrolled through comments on his phone, nearly exploding with rage.
His eyes burned with resentment toward Su Yan—yet a deep sense of powerlessness welled up.
The current Su Yan was no longer someone he could shake.
Last year, when Su Yan was casting his drama, many Xia Nation stars had still considered Akasaka Yoshitoki's stance and declined.
Now? Within minutes of sitting down, Su Yan had received over a dozen business cards. Celebrities around him eagerly struck up conversations.
In front of Su Yan's talent, Akasaka Yoshitoki's "face" was worthless.
While he was still dazed—
The Xia Flame Awards ceremony began.
And just as expected.
Tonight's protagonist—
Was Su Yan.
Was 'Tokyo Love Story'.
Was 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners'.
All other dramas were merely accompanying runners.
After a few minor awards went to the three major stations—
Best Music.
Best Art Direction.
Best Supporting Actor.
Best Supporting Actress.
Best Visual Effects.
'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners'.
'Tokyo Love Story'.
'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners'.
'Tokyo Love Story'.
The two names alternated repeatedly.
One after another, members of Su Yan's team went up to accept awards.
Finally, after the smaller awards concluded, the major categories arrived.
"The winner of Best Actor is… the actor who portrayed David in 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners'—Su Yan!"
Spotlights fell on him.
Everyone in the hall. Everyone is watching at home.
All eyes were on the handsome man.
Su Yan smiled and walked on stage, accepting the trophy.
Two minutes later—
He stepped down, still smiling.
[Sadist Su Yan is so gentle tonight!]
[No mocking Sakura TV?]
[He's matured!]
[Picking a fight with Akasaka Yoshitoki on this stage would just lower his own status.]
[He's so handsome like this!]
But while fans discussed—
Best Producer winner Shinozaki Ikumi took the stage.
Her tone was calm.
"It's a great honor to receive this award…"
After polite opening remarks—
She smoothly began recounting her early career at Sakura TV.
Everyone knew where she had started.
She even praised that period of learning.
Akasaka Yoshitoki relaxed slightly.
Of course. They were smart. Escalating personal grudges here would be foolish.
But then—
Without naming names, she spoke about how their first production, 'Rurouni Kenshin' and later works had been obstructed by certain people, nearly costing them the opportunity to produce at all. How she had felt the darkness of the industry, and thus founded Dimensional Pictures with Su Yan—leading to 'Tokyo Love Story', 'Your Lie in April', and 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners'.
Then came the routine thanks to family and friends.
Three minutes.
Clear as day.
This was a reckoning.
As she stepped down, most cameras in the hall turned toward Akasaka Yoshitoki.
His face was flushed red. Fists clenched.
She hadn't named him.
But who didn't know who "certain people" were?
In front of TVs, fans erupted in curses.
Quick-thinking reporters were already drafting tomorrow's headlines.
Akasaka Yoshitoki could only swallow his fury. She hadn't named him—was he supposed to volunteer himself?
Then came Best Actress.
Shen Liqian took the stage.
She followed the same pattern—speaking of how three years ago, due to "certain people," she had nearly left the industry, before being saved by Su Yan and ultimately winning this award through 'Tokyo Love Story'.
Polite thanks. Exit.
Again, cameras turned toward Akasaka Yoshitoki.
He felt sick.
What was this?
A public execution?
And then—
Su Yan won Best Screenwriter.
Then Best Drama.
Holding the final trophy, he concluded:
"Along the way, there were many who overestimated themselves and tried to block my friends and me. But tonight, the entire Xia Nation knows—not only was it useless, but certain people will become clowns in this industry, laughed at for a lifetime."
The host froze, unsure how to respond.
Su Yan wasn't afraid of offending Akasaka Yoshitoki.
She was.
As people once again glanced at Akasaka Yoshitoki's murderous expression—
Fans watching at home couldn't help but laugh.
Su Yan was right.
He really did look like a clown.
That night, the results of the Xia Flame Awards held no surprises.
Every award that belonged to Su Yan ended up in his hands.
But the combined speeches of Su Yan, Shen Liqian, and Shinozaki Ikumi had effectively roasted Akasaka Yoshitoki over an open fire.
Even Sakura TV's board members, watching the ceremony, felt uneasy.
After the event ended, the real storm began.
News outlets moved swiftly. Articles flooded out.
And as Production Minister of Sakura TV—
Akasaka Yoshitoki became the central topic of the night.